kyrie eleison Posted February 18, 2015 Share Posted February 18, 2015 In my area there are virtually no parish-based bible studies? Why is this? Coming out of the reformed (Protestant) tradition I am a little lost.....i did find one at a local parish but it was taught by lay people and used a Protestant-based devotional...plus almost everyone there was using a Protestant bible (and not even a good one, they had the NIV). I don't understand....... I did find a decent online study at http://catholicboard.comand Scott Hahns site, but those are virtual. What's the deal? Do Catholics not read the bible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MIKolbe Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Be the change you want to see. We have started "small groups" at my parish. We started last year with the Chris Life series, and are now going to be starting a Lenten workshop. After that, we are planning to extend these small groups into homes for small group bible studies, devotionals, and circular activities. It literally started with one guy, who was from a protestant tradition like you. He talked it up, a few others joined in (me included) and the now parish is really digging it! Good Luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Try looking for Catholic Bible study materials at the Daughters of St. Paul - a traditional brick-and-mortar store if there's one close to you, or online if there isn't. I don't know-for-a-fact that they have Bible study materials, but if anyone does, they will. BTW Catholics DO read the Bible, but not in the way other Christians traditionally have. Long story. If I had time, I might go into it. But I don't so I won't. But it's a good thing to do - as MIK says, be the change you want to see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HopefulHeart Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 I second using the Daughters of St. Paul as a resource for Scripture study materials. Devotion to the Word of God is a big part of the Pauline charism. I've visited two Pauline Books and Media stories, and both had a good selection of materials related to Scripture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyrie eleison Posted February 20, 2015 Author Share Posted February 20, 2015 Thanks all for the suggestions. I have seen a few bible study systems like Jeff Cavins' great adventure bible study, etc. that maybe I could try to lead if the priest or deacon don't have time. I guess I'm just personally used to being taught by a pastor with a phd....not laity...so I find it weird. One of the local parishes I know of actually does a bible study with the baptist church next door... I always thought that was taboo. Anyhow, thanks for the insights and I'm off to check on the daughters of St. Paul to see what they have to offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luigi Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Bible study led by a pastor with a Ph.D. or other good credentials would be ideal, of course. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find something like that associated with a Dominican ministry (a parish they staff, or a college Newman Center - they staff several of those), a Jesuit college or parish, maybe Franciscans or Redemptorists or some other order. Parish priests typically have a master's of divinity, including some courses in exegesis but probably not as broad-based as someone with a higher degree. Additionally, the average parish priest probably hasn't studied the Biblical languages; so they may be very familiar with scripture but not in its original languages. Lastly, parish priests typically have so many other responsibilities that they may not have time for "optional" ministries like Bible study. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cathedral monk Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 Agreed. To have a bible study led by priest or deacon or a Catholic theologian person would be first prize. Second would be a study manual. And like gandhi said and jess did, be the change. Revolutionise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ash Wednesday Posted February 20, 2015 Share Posted February 20, 2015 I've been fortunate that bible studies have been quite common in parishes I've attended. Fitting it into my schedule is quite another matter. Attending mass throughout the week has been my go-to for scripture. I think often as Catholics, scripture study just isn't very habitual, but I bet if a parish priest or organizer asked around, they'd probably find many parishioners would be willing and interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyrie eleison Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 Thank you all for your thoughts. There's a Franciscan monastery nearby....maybe I'll see if they have any studies I could sit in on. I also located one parish with a bible study that's not intermixed with other denominations...I just need to see if it is lead by a deacon or priest. If not I'll stick with my new Didache bible and my Haydock and study by myself I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheresaThoma Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Definitely ask around at your parish. Maybe people know of some or you may just find a group of people interested enough to start one. My philosophy has been, I may not have enough/any experience in this but I may just be crazy/committed enough to get it off the ground. And remember there is strength in numbers. You might not be able to get someone to agree to lead a Bible study if there are only 1 or 2 people. But if you are able to say well myself and these 10 other people are interested and have met a few times, then you have something to build upon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catlick Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 Is there any method with which to (collectively or possibly individually) study Holy Scripture with the guidance of the Church's Fathers and Doctors? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyrie eleison Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 Is there any method with which to (collectively or possibly individually) study Holy Scripture with the guidance of the Church's Fathers and Doctors? The best source I know of for this is the Haydock bible which has copious study notes, with many being from the Church Fathers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catlick Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 The best source I know of for this is the Haydock bible which has copious study notes, with many being from the Church Fathers. I read on the Internet that the Haydock Bible is basically the Douay-Rheims translation. I've heard that this translation is near-unreadable due to very latinized English. Is this true? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
puellapaschalis Posted February 21, 2015 Share Posted February 21, 2015 The DR is certainly a different kind of English than what we would speak today; it's closer to the King James than anything you'd hear in church. It takes some getting used to, but it's doable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kyrie eleison Posted February 21, 2015 Author Share Posted February 21, 2015 The Haydock is the DR with extensive commentary. You can check it out here http://haydock1859.tripod.com/index.html I have the print version and it is great. I am not an expert in languages but as noted above it is like the King James which I think may be Elizabethan English. In my opinion it is very dignified and sounds beautiful when read unlike the NAB. The commentary is rich but takes some work to get through given that it is written in a similar style. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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